After all the recent uproar about Beorn and his new look, I began to think more about his character and what he'll be like in the movies. From there I got to wondering about how the story would have unfolded if Beorn had joined the company of Dwarves and aided them on the rest of their quest, and from there I wondered how the Quest of the Ring would have differed if the Fellowship were composed of a 9 different characters to those we know and love.

I then put together my own Fellowship of varied characters, and came up with:

Not a massive deviation from the 9 we've come to know as I've kept 5 of the originals, but a fairly varied company, I think, of mixed personalities and capabilities.

And so I ask: what would your ideal Fellowship look like? Try not to pick the 9 most powerful characters from Tolkien's lore, but a good mix of characters encompassing a range of capabilities and personalites. And how do you think the Quest would have went had it been your Fellowship that undertook it?

...your list is missing the most important person... the ringbearer (!)

no frodo. no ring. no quest.

. aka. fili orc-enshield +++++++++++++++++++ the scene, as i understand it, is exceptionally well-written. fili (in sort of a callback to the scene with the eagles), calls out "thorRIIIIIIN!!!" just as he sees the pale orc veer in for the kill. he picks up the severed arm of an orc which is lying on the ground, swings it up in desperation, effectively blocking the pale orc's blow. and thus, forever after, fili is known as "fili orc-enshield."

this earns him deep respect from his hard-to-please uncle. as well as a hug. kili wipes his boots on the pale orc's glory box. -- maciliel telpemairo

As just one possible permutation. Reasons: 1. Faramir wouldn't be problematic like Boromir. I'd hope he wouldn't die, though. 2. I'd love to see Glorfindel along. Maybe he could kill a Balrog again, and combined with Gandalf, maybe neither would die. 3. I always wish I knew more about the sons of Elrond. They'd have Aragorn's tracking skills plus that great bloodline--who knows what powers they'd have? 4. With all the other Elves present, I wouldn't see a need for Legolas.

. aka. fili orc-enshield +++++++++++++++++++ the scene, as i understand it, is exceptionally well-written. fili (in sort of a callback to the scene with the eagles), calls out "thorRIIIIIIN!!!" just as he sees the pale orc veer in for the kill. he picks up the severed arm of an orc which is lying on the ground, swings it up in desperation, effectively blocking the pale orc's blow. and thus, forever after, fili is known as "fili orc-enshield."

this earns him deep respect from his hard-to-please uncle. as well as a hug. kili wipes his boots on the pale orc's glory box. -- maciliel telpemairo

Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!

that tolkien's writings were gender-slanted, and needed some parity. these two would be excellent additions. also, it would be a +terrific+ outlet for aredhel's adventurous impulses.

. aka. fili orc-enshield +++++++++++++++++++ the scene, as i understand it, is exceptionally well-written. fili (in sort of a callback to the scene with the eagles), calls out "thorRIIIIIIN!!!" just as he sees the pale orc veer in for the kill. he picks up the severed arm of an orc which is lying on the ground, swings it up in desperation, effectively blocking the pale orc's blow. and thus, forever after, fili is known as "fili orc-enshield."

this earns him deep respect from his hard-to-please uncle. as well as a hug. kili wipes his boots on the pale orc's glory box. -- maciliel telpemairo

Galadriel the White Eowyn Dora Baggins (Ringbearer) Rosie Cotton Estella Bolger Diamond of Long Cleave Arwen Dis Ioreth ****************************************** I met a Balrog on the stair, He had some wings that weren't there. They weren't there again today, I wish he would just fly away.

EDIT: Unless that thing is on the other side of the sea, in which case we can add Earendil and Elwing into the mix. They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.

You might as well have a female character along the way (if it wasn't Tauriel I had chosen it would have been Eowyn). I know Tauriel's a made-up character but I think it would be very interesting if they had her in it I think the Quest, if my Fellowship undertook it, would go very well. ....."Loyalty, Honor, ......A Willing Heart. I can ask no more than that."...... ~ Thorin Oakenshield

. aka. fili orc-enshield +++++++++++++++++++ the scene, as i understand it, is exceptionally well-written. fili (in sort of a callback to the scene with the eagles), calls out "thorRIIIIIIN!!!" just as he sees the pale orc veer in for the kill. he picks up the severed arm of an orc which is lying on the ground, swings it up in desperation, effectively blocking the pale orc's blow. and thus, forever after, fili is known as "fili orc-enshield."

this earns him deep respect from his hard-to-please uncle. as well as a hug. kili wipes his boots on the pale orc's glory box. -- maciliel telpemairo

I mean, everyone in the Fellowship played such an important part. I wouldn't know who to exclude of the original set. I'd maybe replace Boromir with Faramir... since I think he was originally "chosen" to be a member of the Fellowship.

OK, this isn't exactly a serious suggestion; I just couldn't help myself… Disclaimers: The words of noWizardme may stand on their heads! I'm often wrong about things, and its fun to be taught more....

"nowimë I am in the West, Furincurunir to the Dwarves (or at least, to their best friend) and by other names in other lands. Mostly they just say 'Oh no it's him - look busy!' " Or "Hold off! unhand me, grey-beard loon!"

I would just stick in Frodo in there somewhere too. And Huan ;) I loved that you mentioned Frodo would've been fed! hahaha :D I would only exclude Goldberry-- will distract Frodo too much. =) "By Elbereth and Luthien the fair, you shall have neither the Ring nor me!" ~Frodo

"And then Gandalf arose and bid all men rise, and they rose, and he said: 'Here is a last hail ere the feast endeth. Last but not least. For I name now those who shall not be forgotten and without whose valour nought else that was done would have availed; and I name before you all Frodo of the Shire and Samwise his servant. And the bards and the minstrels should give them new names: Bronwe athan Harthad and Harthad Uluithiad , Endurance beyond Hope and Hope Unquenchable.." ~Gandalf, The End of the Third Age , from The History of Middle Earth series